Deficit of 263 Thousand Tons, IPB Urges Government to Boost Ruminant Meat Production

BOGOR – National meat demand continues to rise in line with population growth and government programs such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG). However, domestic production capacity still lags far behind consumption needs. Professor Dr. Sri Suharti, a professor at the Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, believes strategic steps are needed to sustainably increase the population and productivity of ruminant livestock.

"Currently, local beef and buffalo meat production can only meet about 65 percent of national demand. The rest must be covered through imports. If livestock populations are not increased soon, we risk the extinction of local breeds and permanent dependence on imports," said Prof. Sri Suharti during the Pre-Inaugural Speech for Professors at IPB on Thursday, July 7.

According to 2024 projections, national meat consumption is expected to reach 759.67 thousand tons, while local production stands at only 496.25 thousand tons. This means there is a deficit of 263.42 thousand tons.

Beyond quantity, product quality and environmental impact are also serious challenges. Ruminant meat, or red meat, contains higher levels of saturated fat compared to poultry. Moreover, ruminant livestock significantly contributes to methane emissions, one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

“Our local livestock productivity is still low. Therefore, we need technology-based innovations that not only increase output but are also environmentally friendly,” Sri explained.

Several strategies currently being developed include the use of cellulolytic microbes as probiotics to aid in the digestion of rough fiber, rumen fermentation modification using phytogenic additives from plants, and supplementation of protected unsaturated fatty acids in feed.

“Microbial isolates from endemic Indonesian herbivores have shown great potential in degrading high-fiber agricultural waste-based feed. This is very important for improving feed efficiency,” she noted.

One proven-effective local plant is the lerak fruit (Sapindus rarak), which contains up to 85 percent saponins. Adding lerak extract to feed can suppress rumen protozoa growth, increase volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, and reduce methane output.

Other herbal plants such as a combination of moringa (Moringa oleifera) and turmeric, as well as tree legumes like Leucaena leucocephala (lamtoro), have also been shown to improve livestock performance and reduce methane emissions by up to 20 percent.

Sri further emphasized the importance of improving meat quality. Ruminant meat tends to have high saturated fat content due to biohydrogenation in the rumen. Therefore, nutritional engineering using soybean oil, flaxseed, canola, and sesame oil protected through calcium soap or encapsulation techniques can increase the content of healthier unsaturated fatty acids.

“We must continue to explore affordable, efficient sources of unsaturated fats that can be implemented at the farmer level,” she said.

Given the complexity of these challenges and opportunities, Sri Suharti stressed the importance of three key steps going forward: first, developing supermicrobe probiotics from local microbes; second, producing efficient and economical phytogenic additives; and third, improving the quality of local meat to ensure it is safe and healthy for consumption.

“With these measures, the development of the ruminant livestock sector can not only support national food security but also become a vital pillar of the national economy,” she concluded.